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Defying Trump, Cornyn Uses His Lame-Duck Power
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Senator John Cornyn, after losing his re-election bid, signaled a potentially contentious end to his Senate tenure, indicating he and other lame-duck senators have leverage to use against President Trump.
- Cornyn and Senator Thom Tillis blocked the advancement of Trump’s attorney general nominee, Todd Blanche, demanding the Justice Department narrow an immunity settlement Trump made with the IRS.
- The immunity deal in question grants broad protections to Trump and his family, potentially saving them over $100 million in penalties, and has drawn criticism from Democrats as self-serving.
- Cornyn and Tillis are not trying to kill the deal outright but want written modifications, showing Cornyn’s notable willingness to oppose Trump amid declining presidential popularity and growing senatorial frustration.
